The Kidon March
On a map, the Kidon March is a narrow strip of coastal land connecting the Desmian kingdoms of Torza and Odala, a thin line between the ocean and the empty space of "No Man's Land". To many travelers, Kidon is a coastal supply station for Desmian Crusaders on their way Westward to the The Golden Crusade.
But the people of Kidon, No Man's Land is not empty- it is a sea of violence, a land of dangerous creatures, bandits, and raiders from The Feywilds. The people of Kidon are often exposed to this violence as it leaks into their fragile kingdom- it makes the Cosmic War of Orthodox Desmianism feel very real. Armed and supplied by the constant flow of Crusader armies along the coast, Kidon is a perpetual frontier.
Structure
The Army of Kidon is the central administrative structure of the government- officer positions include both civil and martial responsibilities. Officer commissions are passed down through families, but it is possible for Kidans who win accolades on the battlefield to receive an official commission.
- The Grand Master sits as the highest position of supreme power.
- The Marshal acts as the field representative of the Grand Master, organizer of troops, and heir to the throne.
- Generals or Knight Commanders act as leaders of active armies- typically, only 3-5 Knight Commanders exist at one time. Knight Commander of Kidon is the most prestigious position of the three, and acts as mayor of the city of Kidon.
- March Captains manage units, or are assigned to city districts if garrisoned. These are the bread and butter of Kidan aristocracy.
- March Lieutenants act as lesser gentry, and usually lead subunits or manage tracts of land.
- March Sergeants are the lowest form of aristocrat commissioned officer.
Demography and Population
Kidon is inhabited by 78,000 humanoids, 15,000 Cats. 85% of humanoids are Human , many of Fey descent; 14% are Vesper . The remaining 1% are Kobold , Selkie, and other.
14,500 of those humanoids are concentrated in the city of Kidon; Kidon as a whole is much more urban than the rest of Desmia, with a quarter of the population living in a town or city.
Territories
Kidon occupies a strip of 130 miles of coastline along the Southern coast of Central Desmia. Just South of the Feywilds, the March is able to hold a strip (average 15 miles) inland, and project power (also average 15 miles) beyond that. Kidon also includes scattered islands in the Bay of Tarkasha in Western Kidon. Two rivers run through Kidon: the large Ditara River in the West, and the very small Dalita river in the East.
Military
The core of Kidon's land military is highly centralized under the Grand Master- this military aristocracy manages garrisons, patrols, construction, and large-scale defense. Supporting this centralized military is an outer shell of decentralized mercenaries, adventurers, freelance crusading companies, and homestead militias that work to expand Kidan influence inland.
The Kidan navy focuses on clearing the Detara River of river pirates- Torza provides naval support in case of larger threats. While the river patrols are centralized under the March Captain of Detara, wealthier merchant and aristocratic families run their own independent navies to keep the coastline free of pirates.
The military of Kidon draws on traditions and techniques perfected across Desmia- the legacy of Esken cavalry, Avanan archery and artillery, Ralevan skirmishers, and Hadaran heavy infantry. Military specialists and trainers from across the continent are often given preferential lodging and treatment in exchange for military guidance- many move on to fully integrate with the Kidan military aristocracy.
Religion
Orthodox Desmianism is the unchallenged religion- Kidon is fiercely loyal to the Perpetual Conclave and religious courts are the basis for most of Kidon's justice system. Priests and priestesses meet annually to prepare the festivities for the The Day of Blood in a gathering known as the New Year Conclave. During this meeting, promotions, replacements, and other administrative decisions are confirmed or decided. Most important in this meeting is the March Chaplain- the first among equals in Kidon. The March Chaplain is also the representative of the Conclave to the military government, and charged with policing the moral purity of the army and providing moral council for the Grand Master.
Religion plays an important part of daily life for most Kidans. Temples educate children, manage guild politics, keep feast days, provide community council, and provide food and lodging for the most impoverished Kidans.
As a theocratic military dictatorship, heretics and heathens are banned from holding public office.
Foreign Relations
Kidon has friendly relationships with almost every Orthodox Desmianism state, with the on-and-off exception of neighboring Odala. While Odala and Kidon work together frequently and often support one another's defense, Odala's refusal to drop its claim to Kidon's throne creates a sense of distrust between the elites of both countries.
Similarly, Torza and Kidon have overlapping claims to the Western Penninsula, but neither can effectively control the land enough for any serious border dispute.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is heavily concentrated along the coast. In the West, homestead farms around the Detara River work overtime to supply Kidon city with food, while the military works overtime to thoroughly protect the agriculture of the fully occupied Dalita River in the East.
Fishing and agriculture are leading jobs in Kidon as they are around the world, but Kidon has a much higher proportion of artisans and soldiers than most: almost half of Kidon's population works in non-agricultural jobs, many as soldiers, cobblers, carpenters, weavers, and smiths.
Trade & Transport
The entirety of Kidon's coastline is constantly alive with trade from Selkies and Desmian merchants alike, and the Detara river is a seasonal trade hub for Feywild merchants. Coastal trade is partially fueled by the The Golden Crusade, as merchants are paid handsomely to transport troops and military supplies, allowing them to make money even during return voyages.
Education
The majority of education is guild-based apprenticeship, often with family members. Religious education also teaches children literacy, discipline, and religious lore once a week from ages five to sixteen. Children acting as shrinekeepers often work and study at the temple one or two additional days or the week.
Maps
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Kidon
Dark red is controlled Kidan land, yellow is urban, pink is contested land
Founding Date
1000 ME
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Capital
Demonym
Kidan
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Kidon uses Asalay Dungeon Coinage: Gold Dragons, Silver Eagles, and Copper Bulls
Major Exports
Kidon eagerly exports both soldiers and manufactured goods- textiles, weapons, tools, and ships are all constructed by Kidon's thriving urban sector and exported to other Desmian kingdoms. Feywild luxuries such as Feycider, Exotic furs, and Exotic woods are also resold to other Desmian kingdoms.
Major Imports
Kidon frequently imports food from Odala and Ireth to the East, and religiously subsidized food convoys are common during weaker harvests. Similarly, metal, hide, lumber, and wool are imported for production by artisans throughout Kidon. Feywild luxuries are also imported by Kidon for resale throughout Desmia.
Legislative Body
Short-term edicts can be passed by the Grand Master, but laws that enter the March Codex must be confirmed by all acting Knights Commanders, who can petition for edits. Once confirmed, a conclave of Kidan Priests must be called to confirm the law by majority, after which they ceremonially enter the law into the codex. Law redactions follow the same system.
Judicial Body
There are two justice systems: that of religious law and military law. Religious law is the primary form of justice, run by the local priests or priestesses. Any crime that fits within a district is typically managed by these religious courts.
Military tribunals are called whenever a crime is deemed to impact the city, kingdom, or military apparatus. A special March Captain- the Tribune- selects a March Sergeant or Priest to act as judge and appoints a squadron to act as investigators.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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